The Beat rock Big Burns Supper

The fifth annual Big Burns Supper festival in Dumfries kicked off last night with a packed gig by The Beat.

Seldom have there been so many Harrington jackets in the heart of the town since the late 70s.

Speaking after the show, lead singer Ranking Roger, said: “It was a great show and a lovely audience – we really loved being for the start of the festival.”

The show, in the festival’s Spiegeltent main venue, featured new work and classics like Stand Down Margaret, Mirror in the Bathroom and Hands off She’s Mine.

Graham Main, the festival’s Artistic Director, said: “What a way the get our fifth Big Burns Supper underway. The Beat were great and that’s just the beginning – we have so much more to come.”

Big Burns Supper is supported by partners including the Holywood Trust and EventScotland. It also benefits from £45,000 from Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Councillor Colin Smyth, the council’s Events Champion said: “The special ambience of the Spiegeltent made it the perfect venue for The Beat. This was a great festival gig and the audience just loved it.

“It’s terrific that we can have a festival of this scale and ambition in Dumfries and I hope people from all over Scotland are browsing through all that we have to offer and booking up for other shows.”